[Blog Tour] Just Once by Julianna Keyes (5-Star Book Review) | Organized by AToMR Tours

Kate Burke is done making bad decisions. Thirty years old and belatedly determined to grow up, the successful travel writer and one-time party girl returns to work at the remote Ponderosa Pines Ranch to reassess her life.

Although her kitchen/cabin staff is lacking and the workload never relents, Kate’s main challenge is Shane Maddox, the ruggedly handsome and doggedly stubborn ranch foreman. Instantly at odds, they battle over everything from ceiling fans to bothersome bats—studiously ignoring the sparks they generate with each confrontation.

They can’t explain their explosive physical chemistry, but after a few frustrated weeks they can’t deny it either. Their solution? Just once. They’ll get past their inconvenient lust and move on.

Kate’s been trying to think with her head instead of her hormones, but is this just another bad decision in a lifetime of careless choices? Has she really changed at all?

Set in the striking and serene hills of southern Colorado, Julianna Keyes’ debut novel offers a sizzling and satisfying tale of unexpected chemistry and the power of second chances. Her characters will get under your skin and into your heart. Just once may not be enough for you either.

I had fun reading this book. It is an honor to read such ‘entertaining, over-the-top chemistry with down-right steamy scenes‘! The humor factor of the story is just right, there may be some boring part in the first few chapters but it gradually takes off, and somehow I find myself unable to do anything but continue reading.

There is so much I like about this book: the main and secondary characters, the cute banters of Kate and Shane, and the breathtaking locale! Kate’s job as a kitchen/cabin manager is a tough feat when dealing with kitchen/cabin girls with raging hormones. I must admit, teenagers are monsters! I realize that now, and I feel that I’ve grown more mature (just a tad bit, I guess) as I experience REAL life. Just like Kate, she doesn’t want to be that reckless teenager anymore and she tries so hard to leave her past behind. Determined to get out of her comfort zone, she came back to Ponderosa Pines Ranchhired as a kitchen/cabin manager. But she wasn’t expecting Shane Maddox, head ranch wrangler and a sexy guy to boot. What intrigues me in the story is that Kate is filthy rich, high-class, and a travel writer who had been to many places, while Shane is a ranch wrangler. Rich girl meets middle class guy? Now, how will this work exactly? In real life, this particular scene do not pan out at all (okay, maybe sometimes) but in Keyes’ world… you have to read it for yourself. *wink*

Just Once is Julianna Keyes debut novel, and to be honest I loveit! She wrote this novel with continuity sans constant repetition which new writers tend to do. Maybe its their style of writing but to me its annoying. The intimate scenes Keyes’ formulate are creative: From Shane’s trailer down to pool. I swear, Ms Keyes have some naughty thoughts! Don’t get me wrong, this book is not erotica or any kinky genre. The scenes are just hot and sexy that will make your cheeks turn pink and toes curl.

Julianna Keyes is a Canadian writer who has lived on both coasts and several places in between. She’s been skydiving, bungee jumping, and white water rafting, but nothing thrills—or terrifies—her as much as the blank page. She has volunteered in Zambia, taught English in China, and dreams of seeing pink dolphins in the Amazon. This is her first book.